12 August 2007

Another Double Podium for Tunstall

Hardinge Ice Valley racer Tom Tunstall came away from the latest round of the British Superbike Championship [BSB] with another two rostrum results making it his fourth podium double of the year so far.

With the Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire playing host, Yorkshireman Tunstall was keen to put in a strong performance at his local track.

The Huddersfield rider excelled in the three free practice sessions and topped the timesheets of the Superbike Cup riders. In the single qualifying session he posted a lap averaging 91.97mph, placing him fourth on the grid.

“I didn’t get a good run on the qualifying tyres, which is an area I need to build on, but I know I’m quick with the race set-up which looks good for tomorrows races.”

In the first of the day's two races Tunstall struggled off the line and ended the opening lap in fifth. Settling into a fast and consistent pace the Honda mounted rider was up to third by lap 13 and grafting to close down the gap 2.5 second gap to former Cup winner James Buckingham. Starting the final lap it was down to under a second and Tunstall was close enough to attack. As the two riders crossed the line the gap was only 0.02 of a second in favour of Buckingham.

“As a racer I’m disappointed not to have got second as it was so close. I was only two and a half seconds off the winner and I lost two of those on the first lap after a bad start, still third place is good, I’ll see what I can do in race two…”

In the second of the day's two 20 lap outings Tunstall was once again fifth after lap one, and up to third by lap five. Having closed down the near three second gap he was unable to get past before the chequered flag, collecting third place and his tenth podium of the year.

“It’s been a good weekend, another couple of podiums. I’m happy as we’ve had a strong pace in every session and if we keep the momentum going it shouldn’t be too long before I’m on that top step.”

The next round takes place at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire on the August 27th Bank Holiday weekend.